China's marine economy is developing rapidly. The annual production value has topped 1 trillion yuan for the maritime industry, which accounts for 3.8 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Message from the forum on maritime policy on July 9 shows that the marine industry has become a new driving force for China's national economy.

The two-day forum in Shanghai is one of the major events to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the great global exploration by Zheng He, Chinese navigator and explorer in Ming Dynasty. The forum has attracted wide attention from Asian-Pacific countries. Experts with maritime administration departments and policy studies institutions from US, Russia, ROK, Japan, and Indonesia also participated in the forum.

By People's Daily Online